Bethlehem Mission House

Two years ago we repurposed our parsonage into a Mission House that is used to host groups coming to Longmont to help with rebuilding after the 2013 floods and with other area mission projects.

In August, we had two groups in the Mission House. Both groups were working for St. Vrain Habitat for Humanity doing the ongoing rebuilding from the 2013 flood. The first group was with IOCC—International Orthodox Christian Charities. One missionary was from Baltimore, another from Pueblo and the third from Petaluma, California. They shared this thank you:

"Thank you for the lovely accommodations. This is a beautiful and comfortable home.

We've enjoyed our stay very much. It was so nice to have a home-away-from-home to come to after a day with Habitat. We enjoyed working with Habitat and did work as we never have before. What an opportunity for us to be blessed while blessing others.

Longmont is a beautiful city. We enjoyed experiencing downtown and going for an evening walk. Thank you for the delicious cinnamon/chocolate bread. Oh my! We are so grateful. God bless you all and thank you again."

~Lynette, Catherine and Jenie

The other was a group of eight from St. Petersburg, Florida. They all belong to a UCC church there. Their comment was that they have done many mission trips like this but these were the best accommodations they have ever had.

In September we had a family, two adults and four children, live in the Mission House for the first two weeks of September. They were referred to us by Habitat for Humanity because their new house from Habitat was a little behind schedule. They had to move out of their apartment at the end of August and needed a temporary place to stay until their home was completed.

Pastor Mark was at church following the September 13 day of service. The mother and oldest boy came by to share that they were leaving the Mission House because their Habitat house was ready. They were so appreciative of the use of the Mission House and so excited about moving into their new home.

In October, we hosted another family that was waiting for plans to move back to China and needed a place to stay until all was ready for their trip. They were very appreciative to have this home to live in.

Recently, Pastor Mark and Nancy Tiff met with the leaders of St. Vrain Valley Habitat for Humanity. We again agreed to house groups that come through them in our Mission House. We already have two groups signed up for the spring of 2016.

Bethlehem provides a site and volunteers for the annual 9Health Fair. 9Health Fair promotes health awareness and encourages individuals to assume responsibility for their own health. Since 1980, 9Health Fair has helped save thousands of lives by providing free and low-cost health screenings and educational programs. With more than 18,000 volunteers, 9Health Fair was created from a National Institutes of Health project and is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), organization. 9Health Fair relies on sponsorship funding and grants to sustain its operations. 9Health Fair is the largest community health, wellness and prevention effort in the nation and is endorsed by the Colorado Medical Society, Colorado Nurses Association and supported by the Colorado Health and Hospital Association.

Atwood Shelter

Monthly Collections

The Atwood Shelter in Longmont offers emergency family assistance (Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFFA). Bethlehem takes weekly collections of needed items; participates in work days; and provides food and presents at holidays. The items needed each month are posted in the Star newsletter, the weekly bulletin announcements and here on our website. Items are collected in the boxes in the narthex. For more information on the shelter, contact the EFFA website or call 303-772-5529 or 303-651-2388; for more information on Bethlehem's participation, contact Bev Coody.

Atwood Shelter—Let's keep helping!

The Atwood Shelter continues to need our help now more than ever! If each month, every BLC family contributed the two items requested, Bethlehem would be able to support the two Atwood Apartments without needing to subsidize. Your contributions really matter! For August, please add these items to your shopping list: dishwasher/dish soap, sponges, dish scrubbers, and full and twin size sheets.

No worries about size or brand—anything and everything is appreciated! If you have questions, please contact Bev Coody (bcoody@comcast.net or 720-530-4864).

Campbell's Soup Label Program Ended

Bethlehem supports the CU Lutheran Campus Ministry by donations, participation in events, and encouragement. Christus Rex is a welcoming community, whose members support one another in their faith journeys. The students enjoy caring, fun, and fellowship as a part of everything they do together! Special events include weekly Sunday evening dinners following worship, movie nights, ski retreats, a fall kick-off picnic, ethnic dinners, trips to special exhibits, and so on. For more information, contact Pastor Zach Parris (303-786-7137) and the CU campus ministry website.

The Boulder County CROP Hunger Walk takes place every October as a part of a nationwide effort to raise funds to help alleviate hunger and poverty here in the United States and internationally. The walk has been raising funds since 1985 and works to support the grassroots, hunger-fighting development efforts of Church World Service (CWS) around the world. This walk also helps to fund hunger-fighting programs such as Community Food Share serving Boulder and Broomfield counties as well as Bread for the World. Bethlehem has participated in many CROP Walks over the years. If you would like to organize a team of walkers for 2015, please talk to the current Mission/Social Action chairmen, Deaconess Kristen, or Pastor Peterson (303-776-3290).

ELCA congregations across the country join together on the second Sunday in September to do service projects in their local community. Bethlehem teams up with First Lutherans. In 2014 we did flood relief, highway cleanup, quilting and Habitat for Humanity work. In 2015 we again shared a wonderful day of service with our brothers and sisters of First Lutheran then went out into the community to serve by doing highway or greenspace cleanup, digging up flower beds at Old Mill Park, working on the current Habitat build, quilting and assembling newborn layettes for Global Health. We assembled 60 newborn kits and completed seven quilts.

2016 "God's Work. Our Hands." Day of Service: September 11

At the recent 2016 "God's Work. Our Hands." day of service, care packages were assembled for the homeless—for the folks we see on our street corners with their cardboard signs. These care packages (food and personal items) were creatively packed into a new pair of socks. The socks have been distributed for you to hand out. Thanks to the volunteers who assembled them.

Fair Trade Support

Equal Exchange, founded in 1986, is the oldest and largest for-profit Fair Trade company in the US. They offer organic, gourmet coffee, tea, sugar, cocoa, and chocolate bars produced by democratically run farmer co-ops in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Equal Exchange's mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers and to demonstrate, through our success, the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world. BLC supports by providing members opportunity to buy coffee and chocolate bars periodically during the year.

The stock of Fair Trade Coffee has been replenished. There are several varieties, including: decaf, two kinds of medium roast, two kinds of dark roast, and Breakfast Blend (Breakfast Blend is ground; the rest are whole bean). The cost is $7 per bag.

Nicaragua Fair Trade

As part of our support for the Nicaragua Mission, Bethlehem hosts an annual Nicaragua Fair Trade Fair that promotes items made by the people of Nicaragua. For more information, contact Cathy Goodman.

Bethlehem supports the local Beads for Life program and is fortunate to have Heather Detillo, former director of Beads for Life, in our congregation. We have periodic bead sales and other events with Beads of Life. For more information, contact visit the Beads for Life website.

Habitat for Humanity – St. Vrain Valley

The mission of the Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley (HHSV) is to provide simple, decent, affordable housing to those in need. BLC supports HHSV by contributing financially, providing and serving workers' lunches, and providing volunteer workers. Current projects are in the Popular Grove area of Longmont (near South Main and Jersey St).

BLC is currently supporting flood relief work projects in partnership with HHSVV. Once a month, volunteers work on repairing resident's homes and properties that were damaged in the Sept 2013 flood here in Longmont.

The HHSV ReStore located on Ken Pratt Blvd. receives household donations that are in turn sold to the public; the proceeds provide funding for additional Habitat build projects. Members of BLC contribute time and donations to the HHSV ReStore.

Habitat Build and ReBuild Days for BLC

2017 Thrivent Habitat Apostles Build Day

This year we will participate in the Longmont Apostles Build Days on Saturdays, May 20 and September 16. Please watch for the sign-up sheets in the narthex or contact Bob Cotton for more information. We need a team of six persons so please sign up on the west narthex wall.

Habitat Rebuild Days for 2017

Thank you to all of the congregation who have come out during 2016 to build new homes or repair old ones. You have helped make life better for so many families that lost their homes in the 2013 floods.

2017 Habitat ReBuild Days

In 2017, we will participate in the following 2013 Flood ReBuild Days (all Saturdays):

February 25

April 21

June 17

August 25

September 16

October 28

Please sign up on the narthex west wall for our 2017 Habitat Rebuild Days. Contact Bob Cotton (303-651-6563) for more information.

Habitat Build Day: Saturday, October 28, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

We will be working on homes at Poplar Grove in South Longmont. These homes are for deserving families who will have completed 250 to 500 hours of "sweat equity" themselves. Please sign up on the west wall of the narthex. Contact Bob Cotton for more information or if you have questions (303-651-6563 or robert.c.cotton@comcast.net).

For the 2016 Report for St. Vrain Habitat for Humanity:

Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement (HOPE) is an after-hours street outreach program providing life-sustaining support to the homeless community, while offering programs which encourage movement toward self-sufficiency. Bethlehem supports this outreach both financially and with volunteers; Bethlehem members donate and collect needed items; provide food; and have participants in the delivery program. Our contact is: Colleen Beyer.

HOPE can always use more volunteers for their Street Outreach and Soup Angel program. Street Outreach involves passing out food, clothes, and blankets from 5:30–9:00 p.m. each evening. Most people volunteer once a month. Training includes a two hour meeting plus several 'training' times doing street outreach with an experienced person.

Volunteer Soup Angels provide meals for the homeless population each and every night of the year by preparing 20 meals each and bringing them to the HOPE warehouse by 5:30 p.m. Soup Angel meals may consist of a sandwich, chips, fruit, cheese stick, and dessert (or something comparable) during the months of April–September. In October–March, the meals are hot items like soup or chili. What a beautiful way to obey the words of Jesus to feed the hungry!

The Inn Between of Longmont, Inc., provides transitional housing and services for diverse homeless individuals and families to help them achieve self-sufficiency and offers low-cost housing, case management services, parent support and education, life skills, conflict resolution, resource and referral. The Inn Between was created through a community-wide collaboration to address the problem of homelessness. The goal was to create a transitional housing program that would house the diverse client-population served by this collaboration and provide the services that would also promote stability and lead toward increased levels of self sufficiency.

The Inn assists residents to develop individualized plans that address their issues and needs, such as housing (first and foremost), education, job training, job search, and financial management, treatment for substance addictions, mental health issues, family relations, and goals and objectives for children when necessary.

Bethlehem supports the Inn Between with financial contributions, supply donations and holiday gifts for residents.

Sky Ranch, just north of Rocky Mountain National Park at an elevation of 9200 feet, is operated by congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Their programs and facilities are open to all.

Bethlehem provides monetary support, staff support and volunteers for maintenance projects, in addition to using the facilities for a variety of camp weeks and for staffing our Summer Day Camp in Longmont. For more information, contact Deaconess Kristen, or Pastor Peterson (303-776-3290).

Annual Sky Ranch Fundraiser

Join Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church (4501 S. Lemay Ave., Ft. Collins) at their annual BBQ and Bluegrass festival and support Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp! Enjoy BBQ and Blues–Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Tickets: $15 (five years and older); $50/family; under 5 years are free. See posted flyers for details.

Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp Hike-A-Thon, July 1–3

Help us celebrate the unique gift of our location in the Rocky Mountains of Northern Colorado and support our High Wilderness Backpacking Program at the same time. This weekend includes both day hike and overnight backpacking options, with the goal of hiking every trail that Sky Ranch uses—all in one weekend! Lodging, meals, a t-shirt, and any necessary gear included! Cost: $80. Go to SkyRanchColorado.org/retreats to register!

Mother House is a safe haven for pregnant women who are at risk. The house is located in Boulder and provides shelter to homeless pregnant women while teaching self-respect and the responsibilities of parenting and/or adoption during their residency at Mother House. Bethlehem supports Mother House through donations and work projects. For more information, please contact Jane Lahman or the Mother House at (303) 447-9602.

Cards for New Beginnings Prison Ministry

Do you have extra cards that you are not using? New Beginnings, our mission at the Women's Correctional Facility in Denver, gives cards to inmates several times a year so they can stay in touch with family and friends. There is a basket in the Narthex marked "New Beginnings"! Appropriate cards of all kinds including Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Sympathy, Birthday, Valentine's Day, and Blank cards can be donated. Questions? Contact Sandy Woodruff (or 303-442-6391).

Since 1986, the Outreach United Resource Center, Inc., the "OUR Center", has worked to meet its mission to unify a safety net of available resources to help people with short term hardships meet their basic needs and move toward self-sufficiency. The priority is to assist families with children who are residents of the St. Vrain region. Assistance to households without children may be provided after a thorough assessment has been done and as resources permit. Bethlehem supports the OUR Center financially, through food and clothing donations, and by providing lunches on Sundays periodically throughout the year.

2017 OUR Center Lunch dates for Bethlehem:

"OUR Center Spotlight"

As one of the supporting churches of the Longmont OUR Center, the OUR Center wants to keep us informed of how our congregation can partner to help families and individuals in need. Therefore, they are sending a monthly "OUR Center Spotlight" newsletter and ask that we please share this list with you. We will be posting a copy in the narthex and also making it available here on our website. Please contact Elaine (or 303-772-5529 x224) if you have any questions.

OUR Center 14th Annual Empty Bowls Event

Thanks to all who attended and supported this year's Empty Bowls event is on Saturday, March 18, at Longmont High School. It was a lot of fun for the whole community and raised money specifically for the OUR Center food program, the largest service they provide. For questions regarding the OUR Center: Elaine Klotz (303-772-5529 x224, elaine@ourcenter.org).

Quilting Groups

Bethlehem Quilting Queens

The Quilting Queens of Bethlehem Lutheran Church meet to tie and talk on Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. The #1 priority is plenty of fellowship, fun and work. We cut, iron, sew, tie and produce an amazing number of quilts each year. We are always anxious to welcome any and all—male or female—to join us in cutting and tying patch work quilts. It's a really good time—belly laughs and giggles, eating a lot and drinking (coffee, that is)! Find more details and pictures at Connect/Quilters.

Peacemakers Quilters

Bethlehem members also participate in another quilting group in Heatherwood (founded by members from Bethlehem and Mt. Calvary Lutheran churches) who makes quilts to sell to support Lutheran World Relief, Nicaragua Mission, and ELCA World Hunger. We provide materials and members participate in the quilting. Our contact is Sandy Burrell, who can provide more information on the Peacemakers quilting group.

Relay for Life

Relay For Life® is a fun-filled event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives, help those who have been touched by cancer, and empower individuals to fight back against this disease. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team keeps at least one team member on the track at all times.

August 12, Saturday, 4:00 p.m.–12:00 midnight: Once again, BLC will have a Relay For Life team. This year's event will be the East Boulder County/Waneka Lake event in Lafayette. This is an easy late night, instead of an overnight event like last year, so we hope more folks can join us for the entire event! To join our BLC team, click here or talk to Matt Helman or Deaconess Kristen. We will have our one-and-only team meeting on July 16, 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We'd love to have you join us!

The Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley (formerly Longmont Coalition for Women in Crisis) offers support, shelter, and information to women and children who are victims of domestic violence. There is a nominal fee for shelter and clients must call first. There is also outreach for individual and group counseling and community presentations. BLC offers donations to support Safe Shelter.

Share Bags

Bethlehem members have donated items such as tooth brushes, tooth paste, socks, hand sanitizer, snack packs, snack bars and water that are then put together in ziplock bags and distributed by the congregation to homeless people around throughout the community. The last drive took place during Lent this year. We are planning another drive during the coming Advent season.

Thanksgiving at Old Chicago

Dinner will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Old Chicago Restaurant in Longmont. This is an annual community holiday Thanksgiving feast and entertainment in Longmont; Bethlehem supports with donations, serving and providing transportation using our church vans.

This FREE event is open to the public from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day and features a traditional holiday meal of roast turkey, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, cranberries, pie and beverages. Plus, a festive family celebration for everyone, including musical entertainment, face painting for the kids, and more! Free shuttle services available from OUR Hospitality Center (250 3rd Ave.) to Old Chicago and back. For more information, contact OUR Center or call 303-772-5529.

Bell ringing for the Salvation Army

For the last several years, Bethlehem members have volunteered to be bell ringers for the annual Salvation Army Christmas Drive. If you are interested in signing up for a two hour shift, contact Duane Penny.

Lutheran Family Services

2017 Furniture Needs

If you are doing some tidying up around the house and have any furniture or household items to donate to Lutheran Family Services' refugee families (Denver area), please call Anna at 303-389-2339 to schedule a pickup! We are in particular need of dressers and dining tables and chairs. Also needed are lamps, side/coffee tables, night stands, sofas, living room chairs, mattresses and box springs in good shape. Or, if you don't have anything you can donate, funds to purchase furniture at thrift stores would be great too. Thanks! (We cannot accept sofa beds, TVs, desks, bookshelves, or king size beds—sorry!)